U.S. Cancels Shipments Of F-35 Equipment To Turkey

The United States has put a hold on delivering F-35 fighter aircraft equipment to Turkey over Ankara’s plans to buy a Russian air defense system, Reuters reported.

Two sources familiar with the situation told Reuters that U.S. officials relayed to their Turkish counterparts that they will not get any more shipments of the equipment, as they have been canceled. The NATO ally needs the equipment to prepare to receive the aircraft, which has a tentative November delivery date.

The move is the latest effort from Washington to pressure Turkey not to buy Russia’s S-400 long-range air defense system.

Turkey is supposed to eventually get 116 of the fifth-generation fighter jets.